An XXL performance against the double reigning world champions.
This is what the Bleues delivered this Saturday afternoon in Pau against New Zealand.
For this reunion with the Nations of the southern hemisphere, after the truce due to the Covid, the women's XV of France delivered a game of high intensity and proved that he could aim high at the World Cup in a year ... in New Zealand.
On the side of the Black Ferns, the way of the cross continues after two severe defeats against England.
The revenge will take place next Saturday in Castres at the end of this autumn tour.
What you must remember
There was revenge in the air at the Hameau.
In the well-filled Pau stadium (11,928 spectators), the New Zealand players wanted to return to victory against the Blue (after two consecutive defeats in 2018 and 2019).
And on the French side, we wanted to beat these Black Ferns who had deprived them of the Olympic title three months ago in Tokyo.
It was in rugby sevens, of course, but two French women on the lawn this Saturday (Caroline Drouin and Chloé Jacquet) were at the Olympics, as were three New Zealanders.
After a long haka acclaimed by the French public, to which the French responded with a second Marseillaise, tight against each other, the match started on a very high level of intensity.
Despite inaccuracies and a few fallen balls, the will was clearly on the side of the players of Annick Hayraud.
And after multiple unsuccessful percussions in the 22 m New Zealand, the salvation of the Blue came from the wing of Cyrielle Banet, author of a double in 4 minutes to a quarter of an hour of play (12-6).
😯👏 What an action!
Les Bleues put on a show in Pau!
🇫🇷 #XVdeFrance leads 12-6 thanks to Cyrielle Banet's remarkable double 🏉 #FRANZL
Follow the match ▶ https://t.co/l1NvGQRtB8 pic.twitter.com/A51EvMuKtT
- francetvsport (@francetvsport) November 13, 2021
In the wake of Caroline Drouin intelligently alternating the game, the French spent the first period in the camp of the Blacks.
And the test to the siren of Chloé Jacquet, at the end of a new large-scale action, came to give a scale to the score more in line with the blue domination (19-6, 40th).
When Blacks find themselves with their heads under water, it is better to leave them there.
This is what the XV of France was able to do in the second period, driving the point home with a try from Emilie Boulard, following a huge maul over 15 m from the forwards upon returning from the locker room.
And the festival continued with an ultra-domineering blue pack, and three new tries, against a single Black side, at the end of the match.
The player: Caroline Drouin takes revenge
Difficult to leave a player in this high-level collective, between tackles by advancing from Romane Ménager, the percussions of the first lines, the speed of Pauline Bourdon, the supports of Chloé Jacquet or the tests of Cyrielle Banet.
But it must be recognized that at the opening, Caroline Drouin, who was part of the Olympic adventure at VII, made an impeccable copy, distributing the game to perfection, offshore or upwind, and relieving her teammates by the length of his kicking game.
A sure bet.
The number: 3
Les Bleues went on to win a third consecutive victory against New Zealand.
After years of defeats, the flies have changed donkeys.
The XV of France first defeated the Black Ferns in an epic match in Grenoble in November 2018 (30-27), then won in the Super Series in San Diego (California) in July 2019 (25 -16).
After the Covid break, the Blue have therefore resumed their good habits.
THE MATCH SHEET
FRANCE - NEW ZEALAND - 38-13 (19-6, half time)
France.
Six tries (Banet 11th, 15th, Jacquet 40th, Boulard 47th, Sochat 64th, Sansus 70th).
Four transformations (Drouin 12th, 40th, 48th, 70th).
New Zealand.
An essay (Blackwell 72nd).
A transformation.
Two penalties (Cocksedge 8th, 14th).
France.
Boulard - Banet, Filopon, Vernier, Boujard (Jacquet 28th) - (o) Drouin (Trémouliere 71st), (m) Bourdon (Sansus 57th) - R. Ménager (Berthoumieu 68th), Gros (Ndiaye 57th), Hermet (cap. ) - Forlani, Ferer - Deshayes (Brosseau 68th), Sochat (Touye 65th), Lindelauf (Joyeux 41st).
New Zealand.
Robins-Reti - Woodman, Fluhler, Brazier (Maliepo 41st), Leti-I'Ga - (o) Demant, (m) Cocksedge (Bayler 71st) - Elder, Mikaele Tu'u, Faleafaga - Roos (Simon 41st), Ngan -Woo (Blackwell 69th) - Nelson (Rule, 50th), Houpapa-Barrett (Ponsonby 56th), Love.